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Nikon D80 (Lens Included)
Nikon D80 (Lens Included)
B-
HQ Grade: B-
A is outstanding and exceptional, rated in the top 10% of digital cameras.
B means they are good, with some standout features.
C means they are mediocre, and probably more trouble than they are worth.
D & F mean they are absolutely awful or old. Avoid at all costs.
  • 4 out of 5
"AF"
  • 4 out of 5
"10,000 fine photos, 50 bad ones"
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Question Answered!
Lyle (dagalee) 1 pts
August 20, 2008 10:08 AM
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Should I purchase the D80 now or wait until its successor arrives?

I have narrowed my field down to the Nikon D80 and the Canon D450 (xSi) and I am leaning toward the D80. But the xSi is the new successor to the xTi and the D80 has been out for two years. Is there much to be gained by waiting for the new D80, based on how camera manufacturers improve their product with each upgrade?
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Answers This question has been answered!
by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58447 pts
August 21, 2008 8:35 PM
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The bottom line is that there will always be a successor on the horizon. So you could wait forever taking that tack. You could wait until January to see what deals you can get during 1) Black Friday (day after thanksgiving) and after CES where new models are announced and prices drop on previous ones.

But to just wait for the next big thing? You'll be waiting forever.
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Lyle (dagalee) 1 pts
August 25, 2008 8:14 PM
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Thanks James. Your point is very well taken and I realize that whenever I commit I will be behind the leading edge. January is the longest I would wait and I am only looking at the D80 successor. What is CES? When is it?

Thanks again, advice well taken.

Lyle
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Lyle (dagalee) 1 pts
August 27, 2008 3:26 PM
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Once again thanks for your advice, James. The D90 has been announced and it looks like it was worth the wait. I clearly will not have to wait until January for it to hit the stores.

Lyle
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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58447 pts
August 29, 2008 12:55 AM
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CES is the Consumer Electronics Show. It's in Vegas right after the first of the year (January). Think of it as Disneyland for Geeks. Everyone comes out and announces new product including cameras, tvs, computers, camcorders, the works. There's also PMA which is photo centric. That's in March, Vegas.

Same kinda thing, though not as vast.
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Lyle (dagalee) 1 pts
August 31, 2008 10:14 PM
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Once again thanks James, for the great information. Thankfully I will not have to wait that long as the D90 has been announced. I will wait until I can read a review or two though. Novices like myself are lucky to have experienced people like yourself who are willing to take the time to give us advice.

Lyle
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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58447 pts
September 1, 2008 6:20 PM
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One thing you wanna pay attention to is if it is partial or full frame. The D80 was a partial frame, and therefore, had a smaller image on the chip. Whereas the D60 is full frame and most who were tempted by the D80 went with the D60 for this very reason. So keep an eye on that and enjoy!
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Lyle (dagalee) 1 pts
September 2, 2008 8:51 AM
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Wow, James, I had not considered that. I thought onlt the pro models D200, D300 were full frame models. I'll check into the D60 and see how it reviews. While the 1.5x crop factor is helpful on telephoto it loses ont he wide end. Thanks for the great tip.

Lyle
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